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Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder
Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder 0
Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder 1
Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder 2
Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder 3
Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder 4

Panasonic® 4K HD Camcorder

Model #: HC-VX981K
250650
Panasonic Electronics
At a Glance
The Panasonic VX981 4K Ultra HD camcorder brings simplicity to the 4K recording experience. It adds in-camera editing solutions that can enable anyone to capture and produce content without complex software.
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Get to know this product.

The Panasonic VX981 4K Ultra HD camcorder brings simplicity to the 4K recording experience. It adds in-camera editing solutions that can enable anyone to capture and produce content without complex software. An innovative HDR mode reclaims highlights and shadows often lost by most compact camcorders. For those without a 4K display option, the VX981 offers in-camera downsampling to 1080p displays. Plus the ability to create multi-camera scene picture-in-picture recordings simply by adding a WiFi link to a mobile device camera.

4K Post Editing

  • Smooth zooming: Easily zoom-in on subjects without changing camera angle.
  • Easy tracking: Automatically keep the subject inside the cropped area.
  • Exact panning: Pan any scene by selecting the start and end points.
  • Convenient stabilizer: Auto adjust compensates for image shaking. Enjoy 4x the resolution of Full-HD 1080p by recording in 4K. Even pause and extract exact moments from 4K video frames for still images with 4K PHOTO mode.
  • Level Footage at All Times: The Level Shot function automatically detects and corrects for camera tilting.
  • Clear, Blurless Results: HYBRID O.I.S.+ and 5-axis correction thoroughly suppress blurring caused by unwanted handheld shaking.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie

By combining two images taken with different exposures, blown highlights and blocked shadows are eliminated. A dedicated HDR button enables quick mode changes.

High-Quality Core Technologies

The remarkable LEICA Dicomar lens produces the subtle nuances and shading LEICA lenses are renowned for. An advanced BSI Sensor supported by a 4K Crystal Engine suppresses distortion to consistently give an accurate rendering of the scene.

Wireless Multi Camera

Built in Wi-Fi links up to three smartphones simultaneously to record picture-in-picture from multiple angles.

Product Highlights

  • Ultra-sharp 4K Ultra HD recording, plus in-camera editing for 1080p displays.
  • LEICA Dicomar Lens optical 20x zoom, 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization.
  • 4K in-camera post cropping, panning, zooming and subject tracking stabilization features eliminate the need for complex editing software.
  • WiFi connected mobile device Twin Camera feature adds multi-camera scene picture in picture recording.
  • 4K PHOTO captures high-quality photos from 4K video frames.
  • Exclusive High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode reduces the overly high-contrast look created by overexposed and underexposed shooting conditions.
Useful Documents
Advanced Manual
Basic Manual
Specification Sheet
Warranty
Specifications

Sensor For Main Camera

Image Sensor1/2.3-inch BSI MOS Sensor
Total Pixels18.91 megapixels

Effective Pixels

Motion Image4K: 8.29 megapixels [16:9], Full-HD: 6.10 megapixels [16:9] (Level Shot Function OFF or Normal)
Still Image7.00 megapixels [3:2]; 8.29 megapixels [16:9]; 6.22 megapixels [4:3]

Lens For Main Camera

F ValueF1.8 (WIDE) / F3.6 (TELE)
Optical Zoom20x
Focal Length4.08 – 81.6 mm

35 mm Film Camera Equivalent

Motion Image (16:9)4K: 30.8 – 626 mm (Level Shot Function OFF), Full-HD: 37.0 – 752 mm (Level Shot Function OFF or Normal)
Still Image34.5 – 690.3 mm [3:2]; 30.8 – 626 mm [16:9]; 37.6 – 752.8 mm [4:3]
Filter Diameter49 mm
Lens BrandLeica Dicomar Lens

Camera Section

Standard Illumination1400 lx
Minimum Illumination2 lx (Scene Mode Low Light 1/30), 1 lx (Night Mode (Color)), 0 lx (Night Mode (IR))
FocusAuto / Manual

Zoom

Intelligent Zoom OFF20x
Intelligent Zoom ON4K: 25x, Full-HD: 40x
Digital Zoom60x / 1500x (The maximum value of zoom magnification can be set in two patterns)
White BalanceAuto / White Set / Sunny / Cloudy / Indoor1 / Indoor2

Shutter Speed

Still Image1/2 – 1/2000
IrisAuto / Manual
Image StabilizerHYBRID O.I.S.+ with Active Mode, O.I.S. Lock, Level Shot Function (Strong mode: 2K only)
HDR Movie (Except 4K Mode)Yes
Creative Control (Except 4K Mode)Miniature Effect, Silent Movie, 8mm Movie, Time Lapse Rec

Motion Image

Auto Slow Shutter ON1/30 – 1/8000 (60p / 60i / 30p), 1/24 – 1/8000 (24p)
Auto Slow Shutter OFF1/60 – 1/8000 (60p / 60i / 30p), 1/48 – 1/8000 (24p)

Recording Section

Recording MediaSD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
Recording Format[AVCHD] AVCHD Progressive; [iFrame / MP4] MP4
Compression MethodMPEG-4 AVC/H.264

Recording/ Playback Mode

AVCHD1080/60p (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60p); PH (24Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HE (5Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i)
MP42160p/30p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160); 2160p/24p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160); 1080p/60p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 1080p/60p(28M) (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 1080p/24p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 720p/30p(9M) (9Mbps / VBR), (1280 x 720)
iFrame960 x 540/30p (28Mbps / VBR)
Actual Recordable Time with Supplied BatteryApprox. 45 min (4K MP4); Approx. 50 min (60p mode); Approx. 50 min (PH mode); Approx. 50 min (HA mode); Approx. 50 min (HG mode); Approx. 50 min (HE mode); Approx. 50 min (2160p/24p); Approx. 1 h 0 min (1080p/24p); Approx. 50 min (MP4 50M); Approx. 50 min (MP4 28M); Approx. 55 min (MP4 720p); Approx. 55 min (iFrame)
Thumbnail Display20 thumbnails/page, 9 thumbnails/page, 1 thumbnail/page

Audio Recording System

AVCHDDolby Digital (5.1ch / 2ch)
iFrame, MP4AAC (2ch)
Microphone5.1ch Surround, Zoom, Focus and Stereo Microphone
SpeakerDynamic type

Still Image Section

Recording FormatJPEG (DCF/Exif2.2)
Still Image[16:9] 25.9megapixels (6784 x 3816), 14 megapixels (4992 x 2808), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080); [3:2] 20 megapixels (5472 x 3648), 10.6 megapixels (3984 x 2656), 2.0 megapixels (1728 x 1152); [4:3] 20.4 megapixels (5216 x 3912), 10.9 megapixels (3808 x 2856), 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480)

Simultaneous Recording

4K MP4[16:9] 20.4 megapixels (6016 x 3384), 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160)
Other than 4K MP4[16:9] 14.0 megapixels (4992 x 2808), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080)

General Section

Power Supply3.6V (Battery) / 5.0V (AC Adaptor)
Power ConsumptionMax. 7.1W (Recording) / Max. 7.7W (Charging)
Dimensions (W x H x D)Approx. 65 x 73 x 139 mm (2.559 x 2.874 x 5.472 inch)
Weight (w/o battery and SD card)Approx. 351g (0.774 lb)
LCD Monitor3.0-inch Wide LCD monitor (460,800 dots)
Touch PanelYes
Manual Ring / DialYes (Dial)

Interface

AVYes
HDMIYes (micro)
Microphone (stereo mini)Yes
Headphone (stereo mini)Yes
USB2.0 Hi-Speed
USB ChargeYes
LED Video LightYes
Accessory ShoeYes (cold)
Lens CoverYes (Auto)

Wi-Fi

StandardIEEE 802.11b/g/n
Frequency2.4GHz band

Standard Accessory

AC AdaptorYes
DC CableYes (USB Type)
Rechargeable Battery PackYes (1,940mAh)
HDMI CableYes (micro)
Shoe adaptorYes
Lens HoodYes
USB CableYes
Editing SoftwareHD Writer AE 5.3 (Download)

Misc. Specs

Depth (in.)5.47
Width (in.)2.56
Height (in.)2.87
Digital Zoom60x / 1500x
Product Weight (lbs.)1.0000
WarningProposition 65 Warning for California Residents
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